Thursday, July 24, 2014

Collection of New Components, Parts, Accessories, Gear and Apparel From Specialized

(article originally posted on Bikeradar.com)

Above, the new 4th generation S-Works mountain bike cranks get hollow carbon construction and a 30mm spindle only. They’ll work with any 104BCD chainring, single or double only. Spin past the break for lots more…

What?!? No 172.5?

The S-Works Aerofly Carbon handlebar isn’t brand new, but darn is it good looking. It makes an appearance on several of their road bikes.

The EMT Top Cap Chain Tool isn’t brand new either, but we hadn’t seen it before. It replaces your standard steerer top cap with something a little more useful while only adding about 25g. Retail is $30 to $35 and there are versions for both alloy and carbon steerer tubes.

The Roval wheel line is as strong as ever with what looks like carbon Rapide rims in the 30-to-40mm depth with Centerlock hubs for disc brake equipped bikes. Further back are models that look like they may have the new SRAM Predictive Steering hub for the RS-1 built into carbon rims.

A Specialized branded 700×30 tubular made by FMB for Tour de France riders.

Roubaix Pro gains a wider 700×30/32c size using their Endurant casing. Not quite sure what a 30/32 width is – maybe it depends on the rim width.

The Armadillo All Condition gets a new, wider 700x30c size.

The new Turbo Allround is a textured version of their performance oriented tire line, offering a bit of traction for those that still want to go fast in inclement conditions.

An overview of their 2015 apparel line. If you don’t mind having an “S” on your kit, Specalized makes some very well thought out, comfortable clothing.

Several new shoes are coming this fall. The Cadet is a multisport model for fitness riders that may or may not want to clip in.

The 2FO Flats look to be rather breezy for a gravity oriented kick, yet still provide the grippy bottom and high ankle support needed for hucking ones self down the mountain at full speed. Inside ankle cuff sits slightly higher than outside edge.

A new carbon-soled Pro level road show will use a ratchet buckle plus offset center Velcro strap above a more traditionally placed bottom Velcro strap.

The TdF Red Star colorway finds it way to the Evade aero road helmet.

Produced in limited editions in early 2013, a McLaren developed TT helmet was available to lucky few. Now, it looks like an S-Works model may be more widely available. Compared to the current TT2 lid, this one gets side vents and a more streamlined exhaust port at the back.

Tired of Traditional Hard Plastic Designs That Are Unfashionable and Ruin Your Hair?

The pair has spent seven years engineering, refining and testing an all-new helmet design while studying at the University of Lund in Sweden. The Hövding device is worn around the neck and is designed to shoot a protective inflatable nylon hood around the user's head within one tenth of a second of impact.

They had to simulate every known crash. They even enlisted the help of professional cyclists to help them develop it for all types of accidents, "Everything from an icy road crash to getting hit by a car"

The collar is capable of monitoring a cyclist's movements more than 200 times a second using an inbuilt computer, sensors and gyro. If it senses a collision, a small gas canister held in the back of the collar inflates the protective cover within miliseconds.

Surprisingly, the duo claims that the airbag is three or four times better in terms of shock absorbance — and — it covers more of the head, including the entire neck!

Thursday, July 17, 2014

The move to 650b was
made because it's a "bigger, better wheel" for trail, all-mountain, and
enduro race use.

(article posted on Vitalmtb.com)

The 650b model features a new rear triangle, but makes use
of the existing 26-inch front triangle mold. Specialized says they were
able to achieve the geometry they were after using this configuration
without compromise, and the numbers look good. With 165mm of travel, a
65.5-degree headtube angle, 422mm chainstays, and 352mm bottom bracket
height, the new bike is ready to rally.

Both the Enduro 29 (above) and 650b are available in four models. The
top-of-the-line S-Works version has a FACT 11m IS-X Carbon frame.

A 160mm RockShox Pike comes standard on all models, as do the Roval Traverse Fattie wheels. The new Rovals feature a massive 30mm internal width andZero Bead Hook technology.

The Cane Creek DBair Inline air shock replaces the DBair CS on most models, providing more clearance inside
the frame while retaining the full range of low and high-speed
compression and rebound adjustments. The aluminum Comp model will
continue to use a FOX Float CTD with Autosag.

Also new to the Enduro for 2015 is the Slaughter tire. Created
in the name of speed, the Slaughter offers riders a super fast rolling,
low profile tire that still has tall side knobs for reliable bite in
corners.

Because the bike uses a 1X drivetrain which frees up bar space,
Specialized's three position Command Post IR dropper seatpost gets a new
Single Ring Lever (SRL). The lever will be available on aftermarket
posts as well.

The S-Works model features a SRAM XX1 drivetrain with Specialized
S-Works carbon cranks. The cranks have an integrated spider that accepts
a 30-tooth chainring minimum.

The new Specialized Henge saddle also makes it onto the bike for
2015. It features a wider cutout, low friction material on the sides,
and comes in two widths.

2015 Specialized Enduro Highlights

29-inch or 650b wheel size

FSR technology provides 155/165mm of rear travel

In-line suspension

FACT IS X-Frame

Tapered head tube

Carbon PF30 BB

142+ dropouts

Roval Traverse Fattie Wheels with 30mm internal width

Internal dropper post routing

Command Post IR dropper with new SRL lever

Available in four models

Geometry

Note that the 650b model will be available in Small, Medium, and Large sizes and the 29 in Medium, Large, and XL.

Monday, July 7, 2014

Specialized Crosstrail with the disc brakes makes it a
versatile bike which is equipped to most day to day riding.

Ideal
commuter with the ability to add a pannier rack if required. A
comfortable ride provided by a Suntour fork.

The Crosstrail Disc is up for all your after work rides and weekend
adventures, regardless of the terrain, with fast rolling but confident
38c tyres and 63mm of front suspension featuring hydraulic lockout and
Multi-Circuit Damping.